The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-06
THE TRoUBLE AT TERRE HAUTE.

THE TROUBLE AT TERRE HAUTE.
The trouble at Terre Haute on the Fourth
was foreshadowed several days in advance. 1t
began when the trades and labor unions in
vited Robert Schiling. the Milwaukee Social
list, to be present and deliver an address. Ii
those who invited him did not know his char
acter and record they ought to have known.
They were informed several days before the
Fourth, on undoubted authority, that he was
regarded in Milwaukee as mischievous agi-
tator, and were notified by some of the organi-
cations that were expected to take part in the
celebration and by some of those who had con-
tributed money to the expenses that Schlll-
ing's presence would be distasteful. That
the committee on arrangements were not left
in doubt to his character is shown by the
following dispatch from Milwaukee, which
was printed in the Terre Haute Express of
Sunday:
Robert Schilling is, according to his own
admission, a. Socialist He is editor of the
Daily Reformer, German Knight OF Labor
organ. Last year the grand jury indicted him
for conspiracy in connection with boycotting,
and he was also indicted for melting labor
troubles here. but the jury disagreed.
There may possibly be Socialists in theory
who are not dangerous citizens-quiet cranks
who content themselves with entertaining
socialistic views in a vague sort of way and
in private. But Schilling is professional
agitator, an infammatory writer, a practical
advocate of the boycott, etc. This being the
case he is an eminently unfit person to address
loyal American citizens on the national ami
versary. The members of the Grand Army
of the Republic at Terre Haute took this view
of the case. AS showing the loyalty of the
old soldiers to the ideas of true American cit
izenship we print the resolutions which they
adopted on Monday morning with but one
dissenting vote:
at appearing from the press of this city
that the comrades heretofore appointed by
this post to select orators to speak to the peo-
pie on this, the national holiday, have, among
others, invited one Robert Schilling, who is
expected to be present and speak to-day.
This man Schiling is known to be an avowed
and notorious Socialist from a neighboring
State, the editor of paper advocating social
istic principles, which is the first step towards
anarchy and the destruction of well-organized
governments everywhere; a doctrine which
strikes at the very foundation of our free and
equal institutions and brings into contempt
the flag which we have upheld on many hard
fought battle-felds, doctrine which
as willing to take up arms against now
when we did to put down wicked and cause
less rebellion; doctrine which every impulse
of patriotism condemns and abhors; therefore
be it
Resolved by Morton Post, No. l, of the
G.. A. r., that in selecting Robert Schilling to
address the people on this, the 4th day of July,
the committee has acted unwisely, and meets
with our decided disapproval.
Resolved, That this post does not sympa-
thize with the doctrines advocated by Social
lists, but are in fighting hostility to them.
Resolved, That we hereby demand that
the invitation extended to Robert Schilling to
speak to-day be at once rescinded.
Resolved, That if Robert Schilling, the
Socialist, is to speak at the fair ground to-day
we will show our disapproval of the same by
refusing to march in the procession"
And they withdrew from the celebration.
All honor to the loyal veterans and members
of the G.. A. r. for their actionl Their reso-
lutions assert a fundamental doctrine of
American liberty, and their action shows they
had the courage of their convictions. About
the same time the police force, who had been
assigned place in the procession, met and
adopted the following:
Whereas, it is now understood that Robert
Schilling, of Milwaukee Wis, is to be one
of the speakers at the fair grounds, this the
4th day of July, our national holiday, and
whereas, the notice that said Schilling was to
be one of the speakers on the occasion was
studiously concealed from ourselves and the
public, and whereas, it is well known that said
Schilling lisa Socialist bordering upon anarchy,
and whereas, it is reported that said Schilling
is in sym patty in his ideas and teachings with
the class of Socialists and Anarchists of Chi
cago H., who murdered our brother police
men in the Haymarket riot of Chicago in
1885, therefore be it
Resolved, that we refuse to march in the
procession or parade to the fair grounds to-
day. And be it further
Resolved, that these resolutions be spread
upon the records of this department"
And the police, like the G. A. r., withdrew
from the celebration. No speech that was
made on the Fourth in Indiana OF elsewhere
gave better practical expression to the sacred
doctrines of liberty and law than the resolu-
tons we have quoted. They show that the
time has not yet arrived, and we trust it is
far distant when socialistic doctrines can hope
to find a congenial soil in Indiana.